Ra'iro owes its name, meaning "immense sky", to its expanse. It is the largest atoll and one of the four largest in the world, with 240 "motu" or islets, separated by over a hundred "hoa" or small channel passages, that form a coral ring and, in the centre of the interior lagoon, the Patio motu.

The endless lagoon

The incomparable luminosity and hues of the lagoon, from jade green to turquoise tinged with violet, subjugate the visitor when, from the air , they catch sight of this long string of islets lying in the middle of the Pacific ocean. To the north west of the atoll is Avatoru, the main village, facing the Fara motu whose lagoon, according to legend, was pierced by two twins: "Moana tea", peaceful ocean, and "Moana uri," furious ocean.